St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1887-12-28
THE BIG STRIKE ENDED,
And the Men Are Now Returning to
Work.
A NIGHT SECRET SESSION
Issuance Of Very Pointed Letter by
the Reading Railroad
Company.

strike OH the Reading system pending
arbitration with the company. The five
crews over which the trouble originated
are to be supported in the meantime by
financial aid from the employees. This
decision was reached after a conference
with Supt. Sweigard at his Office last
night. The committee then returned
to their meeting place in Port Rich
mono, and after several hours discussion
decided to submit their case to arbitra-
ton. In the afternoon motion had
been carried to propose arbi-
tration to the officials. Mr.. Sweigard
met the committee graciously and
assured them that such a plan would be
entirely agreeable to the Reading rail
road. There were present fourteen
members of the committee, represent
ing all sections of the road. The de-
cisiOn of the Knights in Reading yeSter-
day not to strike is supposed to have
had some influence upon the action Of
the board. One of the committee said
this morning: ave decided that it
would be far better to pay the five
striking crews their wages rather than
jeOpardize so many interests at this
city. Mr.. Sweigard has always treated
us sQuarely, and we feel that we can
trust him. All side issues will be sunk
and only the main point in dispute will
be arbitrated upon. We have not yet
agreed upon the time OF method of arbi-
tration. That will be settled at the
convenience of both sides, but as
speedily as possible. We have sent
kilograms to all our assemblies to
RESUME WORK AT ONCE.
We feel that the public will declare our
decision wise one, especially since the
city might be so seriously affected at
the present time. We do not anticipate
any difficulty in settling the matter"
All trains are moving on the Reading
railroad this morning and no further
trouble is anticipated. Nearly all the
employees reported for duty promptly at
Z o'clock at the various depOtS and
freight OfficeS,aS well as those employed
on the coal wharveS at Port Richmond.
The work of moving the coal trains and
transferring the coal from the cars to
the vessel at the wharf was at once be-
gun. and there was very little evidence
of the great strike which for the past
few days has threatened to paralyZe the
business of the entire Reading system.
Quite a number of the employees in the
various branches failed to report but the
officials state that these have perhaps
been celebrating Christmas too enthu-
siastically and that their places will be
kept open for them few days. General
Superintendent Sweigard said this
that the statement that he had
agreed with the Knights of Labor to
submit the questions in dispute to arbi-
tratiOn
WAS INCORRECT.
He said that last evening a committee
employees of the company
called at his office and he talked with
them briefly regarding the threatened
strike. He held out no inducements to
the men, however, and would listen to
no proposition which had for its object
the reinstatement of the men who had
been discharged for refusing to deliver
cars to TaylOr's elevator. These men,
he said. have been discharged and will
never again be employed by the COM
pany. He SAYS no agreement was pro-
posed either by the committee OF by
him, and that the committee left when
he informed them that he would hold
no conversation regarding the dis
men. The reporter at this
point asked Mr.. Sweigard whether he
to take up the Port Richmond
and submit any questions in
volved therein to arbitration, to which
he tersely replied: "There is nothing
to submit. There is one thing in con-
nection with this subject that may as
well be disposed of while we
are on it. The employees, or some
of them, have accused the company of
not living up to Art Gle Is of the agree
ment entered into with the men last
winter, which was to the effect that no
man should be discharged without first
being given hearing. Well, about two
months ago, three brakemen refused to
go out on a train because one of the
men. O conductor, was not Knight of
Labor. l discharged these men, and
when committee called on me and
begged for their reinstatement, 1 told
them that the company did not propose
to re-emplOy men who left their work
under such circumstances. The COM
mittee. consisting of John Lee. Cahill
and Sharkey, followed me all over Port
Richmond and pleaded their cause.
Finally, agreed to reinState the men
after suspension of three months upon
this condition: That the committee
should go before every ASSEMBLY of the
order and say to the members that here
after any employee who refused to per
form duty when ordered by an official,
such employee should lie discharged,
and they (the X. of L.)
should not appoint any com
nittee to seek an adjustment Of the
matter OF require any explanation.
Now. when | instructed the men at
Port Richmond to deliver the cars con-
signed to the Taylor elevator and they
refused, discharged them in conform
ty with this agreement. And this fully
answers the complaint in regard to
article l 5. Every man who has been
discharged will remain discharged,
4 yer again to be employed by this com
Dany." General Manager Mcleod, of
he Philadelphia & Reading Bailroad
this afternoon made the fol-
owing public announcement: The
report that the Reading company had
agreed to arbitrate with its striking en-
1loyes is absolutely false. There is
nothing to discuss, much less arbitrate.
The men discharged were not and will
lot be taken back. The new men en-
oloved when the old ones went out will
not be discharged to make room for
I'D ones, and all the latter
nave been notified that if they desire to
'etain their places they must return to
work Immediately and Internationally,
md all have returned under that order
10 far as places were left for them. Be
,ides, the leaders at Port Richmond who
brought on the strike have been dis
charged, and will not be allowed again
IL the cOmpany'S service"
The following circular was issued
rom the general Office of the Reading
company this afternoon:
Philadelphia, Dec. q, 1SS7.-A. A.
ESQ.,. General Manager. Dear
Sir: The strike ordered from Port
Richmond has developed the fact that
many of our old and faithful employees
lave been compelled by others to join
he organization known as the Knights
# Labor. While the Reading Railroad
has never objected to its
employees voluntarily connecting them
elves with any labor organiZa-
ion they may see fit to join, it will pro-
ect them at all hazards and at any
,0st from being forced into any union
where their own wish would be to re-
L., Nf